In a sharp contrast to the stand taken by former Pakistan premier Nawaz Sharif, his brother Shahbaz has said their PML-N party could hold talks with President Pervez Musharraf if he acts impartially and holds a free and fair general election next month.

“If Musharraf becomes neutral and promises to hold the polls in a free and fair manner, talks can be held with him,” Shahbaz, the President of the PML-N, told BBC’s Urdu Service.

He said he did not expect Pakistan’s caretaker government to hold a fair election. He also said Nawaz Sharif did not hold a personal grudge against Musharraf and only wanted the rule of law in the country.

The PML-N, Shahbaz said, would talk to Musharraf only if he stopped supporting the “king’s party”, a euphemism for the ruling PML-Q that backs the President. Only free elections could ensure Pakistan’s integrity and political leaders will have to give up personal interests in favour of national interests, he said.

Shahbaz has been in London since January 16 for a medical check-up while Musharraf is scheduled to visit Britain shortly as part of a tour of Europe.

Though both Musharraf and Shahbaz have ruled out possibility of any direct contact between them in London,political observers believe the softening of stand by the PML-N President could be a step towards a possible settlement.

During a brief stopover in London before formally starting his tour of various countries, Musharraf will have no official engagements except a meeting with his friend Brig (Retd) Niaz Ahmed.